I have noticed the growing trend in the motor industry towards three cylinder engines. The Yaris 1.0 went from a 4 pot to a three, the Nissan Micra is due to go the same way and BMW is due to put blown triples in the new 1 and 3 series. All this begs the question: what about refinement? Yes three cylinder engines have a nice engine note but are rather raucous and all the threes I have driven (VAG 1.2 and Toyota 1.0) have had a hesitancy coming off of idle as if they want to stall. They don't of course but there is a certain crudeness there and obvious lack of balance. I can't think how they can make a three cylinder meet BMW customers refinement expectations.
P.S what is the firing order of a modern 4 stroke triple?
|
